The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-10-08
A REALIsT.
BY oPIE r. READ.


 Jasper J. Pealring's reputation as literary man placed him high among the writers of American realism. His novel, "The PhiiadelphiaDs," had been warmly praised by the leaders of lit erary circles, and the magazines had declared it to be a work so truthful in general treatment and so life-like in conversation that it should stand as a rebuke to writers who heated their heads to devise dark plots and who encouraged the ravenous wolf of inn agitation. Still, in a financial way, Jasper J. Pealring was not success. His book was talked of by many, but was bought by few. When one of his friends hinted that, having written something to establish his reputation, he could now afford to write some- thing that would sell, the writer turned angrily upon his adviser and exclaimed:
 "What, you urge me to degenerate into sensationalist? Do you-you whom have looked upon as friend, advise me to become an Alexander Dumas! Do look like Rider flag gard? Is there anything about me that can cause you to cry out: There stands Adolphc Belot?' George, if yon value my friendship, let your sug- gestions be in keeping with the fact that am student in the school of American realism. may aspire to become Tolstoi, but heaven forbid that l shall ever look toward Daudet."
 "But," suggested his friend, "you expect to make your living by liter- ary work"
 Most assuredly."
 "Then you must remember that realists are much more inclined to ad- mire than to purchase"
 "I shall remember nothing of the sort; my publishers tell me that they are satisfied with my work"
 "Yes, but are you satisfed?"
 "I shall be after while"
 "When you have written another book?"
 "Yes."
 "But do you not know that it al- ways requires another book to satisfy an author? It was this blind yearn- ing for another book that caused some of the greatest writers to rack their poor old brains long after the reading public had thrown up its hands and cried enough"
 "Well, then, what must do?"
 Establish sort of bureau and furnish messages for governors"
 'You are sarcastic"
 "Well, then, go to some cheap boarding-p place out in the country and write letters from Europe."
 By our bloodless fictionw ex- claimed the author, "Pll tell you what l will do. It has become quite fashionable, you know, for novelists to take positions on newspapers. We'll, I'll connect myself with some great newspaper as literary editor. My salary will be sufficient to insure me comfortable living, and my po- sition will enable me to give convert ing emphasis to the realistic opinions which hold"
 MT. Pealring made no mistake in believing that he could secure such a situation, for two days later he was installed as literary editor of the URicerse. He found his position to be exceedingly pleasant. The propri- etor of the great institution SO far honored him with confidence that he hesitated not to speak of the enormous circulation ot the TnirerSe and to hint that an opportunity of impress ing that fact upon the public must never be suffered to escape.
 One day the city editor said to Pealring, Say, we are rather short of men to-day, and I wish you'd go to the Grand Rubdub hotel and inter- view Mike OFlarity. He's just ar rived"
 "I don't exactly understand his line of literary york;" Pealring replied.
 "Literary work!" the editor con- temptuously repeated, "why, he's the great pitcher. Baseball. Don't you understand? I have instructions to send you in case can't get any one else. Hurry up. Give him about column and half"
 MT. rearing, naturally accOmmO- dating, and besides not caring to lose position which held up such bright hopes, consented to take the assign ment. He wrote an article, as sensi- ble as the subject would admit, and, with a certain pride in his ability to turn his pen at the shortest notice in an unstudied direction, he submitted his copy to the city editor.
 Hold on," said that executive dig nitary, "you don't get at the thing right. Here you should say that al- though MT. O'Flarity was weary with receiving callers he consented to give a few moments of his time to the re- porter. Then you should say that he treated the reporter very courteously, asked him to sit down, and to state as